As the winter chill embraces the garden, December offers a unique set of opportunities to nurture and prepare your outdoor haven for the coming year. In this gardening calendar for December, we'll explore a variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs that can thrive during this chilly month. Let's delve into the December garden and make the most of this quieter but still vital season.

Flowers to Sow and Grow:

In the Greenhouse/Indoors
Early Bloomers: Sow half-hardy annual seeds such as antirrhinums (Snapdragons) and laurentia ‘Stargazer Mixed’ in a cool greenhouse. This early start ensures vibrant summer flowers.

Begonia and Geranium Beauty: Sow Begonia semperflorens 'Options Mixed' and geranium ‘Moulin Rouge’ seeds under cover or on a sunny windowsill. These two companions will make striking container plants in late spring.

Forced Hyacinth Revival: After the Christmas flowering is over, plant out indoor-grown forced hyacinth bulbs in your garden beds and borders. These resilient bulbs will grace your garden with fragrant blooms next year.

Plant Outdoors
Winter Containers: Add a splash of colour to your winter garden by planting winter containers with ivy, Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella,’ and evergreen grass plants like Carex morrowii 'Variegata.' Position these containers near entrances and frequently used paths to maximise their visual impact.

Tulip Triumph: In large pots filled with compost, plant flowering bulbs, especially tulip bulbs. Remarkably, tulips planted late in the year still thrive and contribute to a stunning spring display.

Winter Blooming Shrubs: Plant winter-flowering shrubs in your beds and borders this month. Sarcococca confusa releases a delightful fragrance, while Mahonia x media ‘Winter Sun’ bursts with bright yellow blooms throughout December.

Hedging for Wildlife: Encourage wildlife and create charming garden boundaries by planting bare-root native hedging. For a splash of colour, consider bare-root colourful hedging. If you're eager for quick results, explore the world of fast-growing hedging. For a more leisurely approach, choose from our selection of slow-growing hedging varieties.

Winter Annual Favourites: Take stock of the winter-flowering annuals in your garden and make note of your favourites to grow next year.

Vegetables and Herbs to Sow and Grow:

In the Greenhouse/Indoors

Indoor Herbs: Cultivate a kitchen garden by sowing herb seeds like basil ‘Sweet Green,’ dill, chives, and mint on your windowsill. These herbs will provide fresh flavours throughout winter and mature for spring planting.

Winter Salad Bounty: Extend your salad season by sowing winter-hardy salad leaves under cover, including varieties like lettuce 'Winter Gem' and 'Arctic King'

Onion Excellence: Sow onion ‘Ailsa Craig’ seeds on a sunny windowsill. This early start allows your bulbs to grow to their maximum potential.

Direct Sow Outdoors
Broad Beans Under Cloches: Sow hardy broad bean 'Aquadulce Claudia' or the compact variety ‘The Sutton’ in rows outdoors under cloches for an early spring harvest.

Planting Outdoors:
Rhubarb Renaissance: In well-prepared soil enriched with plenty of organic matter, plant rhubarb plants now. These hungry feeders will reward you with succulent stalks in the future.

Fruit to Sow and Grow:

Raspberry Dreams: Plant raspberry canes while they are dormant, promising a delicious crop in the upcoming summer or autumn.

Berries Galore: Consider planting other berry fruits like blackberries at any time between now and spring.

Sweet Strawberries: Plant strawberry plants, especially ‘Just Add Cream,’ which provides an extended cropping period and exceptionally sweet berries come summer.

Blueberry Bliss: Enhance your fruit garden's aesthetics with blueberry plants. With their delicate white flowers, delectable berries, and fiery autumn foliage, blueberries offer year-round interest. If your soil is less acidic, try growing them in containers with ericaceous compost.

Currant Affairs: Plant bare-root gooseberries like the prolific ‘Invicta’ along with red, white, and black currant plants this month.

Plan Ahead:

Request a catalogue to browse next month when garden tasks slow down. Make a list of your preferred flowers, fruits, and vegetables for the New Year, and place your orders.

Prepare for next month by purchasing hardy broad bean varieties like ‘The Sutton’ for sowing outdoors under cloches or in pots.

Order show-grade onion seeds to start undercover next month. ‘Ailsa Craig’ offers the promise of large brown bulbs with excellent flavour. Early sowing allows your bulbs ample time to develop.

In the midst of winter's chill, your garden remains an exciting realm of growth and potential. Embrace the December gardening tasks and envision the vibrant garden that lies ahead in the coming seasons.